Method of and apparatus for forming signatures



Jan. 13, 1959 G. l. KOONS ETAL 7 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FORMINGSIGNATURES Filed 001;. 19. 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 Z'Yorzaegu m 3. 1959G. l. KQQNS Em 2,868,539

' METHOD. OF AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING SIGNATURES Filed Oct. 19, 1955 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 13, 1959 G. 1. kooNs EI'AL 2,868,539

METHOD OF, AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING SIGNATURES Filed Oct. 19, 1955 4Sheets-Sheet 3 1959, i $.1 KobNs El'AL A ,86

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING SIGNATURES Filed Oct. 19, 1955 i 4Sheets-Sheet 4 FIEEI PIES 1 15.11] 1 15.11

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Application October 19, 1955, Serial No. 541,371

This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for formingsignatures of coated stock containing at least 16 pages byrnearis'offormer'boards "Fonning signatures "with formerboards is inherentlymorerapid sad simple than using 'jaw folders because the sigaturesarcontinuously folded from traveling ribbon of paper which is then cutintosignature lengths. Where jaw fbldersare used'it is necessary tofirst cut the printed ribbon s into signature lengths, then assemblethem and finally fold them the jaw folders. i

"The present trenddn'the printing industry is to use signatures havingas large a number of pages as is reasonably practical order to reducethe number of pieces which ni'u's t be 'handled both in the press roomand in the bindery. Wheresigriat'ures are formed from coated paper stockof the type which is used in high grade magazines and books with largenumbers of half-tone cuts and color work it has not heretofore beenpossible to produce more than a 12 page signature by means of formerboards because of the problem of handling more than three ribbons, orstrips of coated stock over a former board. Three strips may be keptaligned as they pass through the equipment including the former boards,but if more than three strips are run at a time the internal ribbons canbecome disaligned, resulting in off-center folding of certain of thestrips. Accordingly, wherever a signature of coated paper stock is tocontain more than 12 pages it is customarytomake the signatures only onjawfolders.

In accordance with the present invention signatures of 16, 24, oreven-more pages of coated stock may be assembled by the use offormerboards, completely eliminating the need to use jaw folders in theselarger types of signatures. A 16 page signature, for example, may beprepared on former boards by taking two paper strip sets each of whichcontains at least two strips of paper, and running each strip. set overa former board to fold it longitudinally in the customary fashion andform a strip group of four interleaved strips which are joined along thefolded margin. One of the two strip groups thus formed is thencontinuously slid between the innermost strips of the other group toprovide a signature strip containing eight interleaved strips joinedalong one margin, and this signature strip may then be cut intosignature lengths. The eight interleaved strips will, of course, providea 16 page signature.

Similarly, by using strip sets each of which contains three superposedpaper strips, folding each strip set to provide a strip group and thencontinuously sliding one group between the innermost strips of the othergroup a signature strip is provided which contains 12 interleaved stripsto form a 24 page signature. This process may be carried on for.additional steps, slipping a further group of six interleaved stripsbetween the 12 which are already together to provide a 36 pagesignature, etc.

The apparatus of the invention is illustrated in a preferred embodimentin the accompanying drawings, in which:

nited States Patent Fig. 1 is a generally schematic side elevationalview of the apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view thereof;

Big. 4 is a side elevational View of one strip set passing over a formerboard; i

Fig. 5 is a section taken as indicated along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; i

Fig. 6 is a section taken as indicated along the line 6-6 ofFig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of one strip group beingassociated with another strip group to form a signature strip;

Figs. 8-11, inclusive, are, respectively, sectional views taken asindicated along the lines 88 to 1111, inclusive, of Fig. 4; i

Fig. 12 is a fragmentaryperspective view of a six ip up; nd

Fig. 13 is a perspectiye view of a signature cut to appropriate length.

Referringto the drawings in greater detail, and referring first to Figs.1' and 3, the apparatus has a suitably constructed frame indicatedgenerally at 15 which has paper web frame portions 16 and 17, as seen inFig. 2, a folder frame 18, and an outfeed frame 19. Paper webs W1 and W2from the printing presses pass, respectively, through slitter mechanisms20 and 21. As best seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the slitter 20 includes apaper carrying roll 20a and a slitter shaftZQbproVided with a pair ofrotary knives 20c which continuously slit the web W1 longitudinally intothree ribbons R1, R2 and R3. Similarly, the slitte r 21 has a papercarrier roll 21a and a slitter shaft 2 1 b'provided with two rotaryknives 21c which slit the web W2 longitudinally into three ribbons R4,R5 and R6. It will be understood that each of the ribbons R1 to R6 hasbeen continuously printed from plates carrying the copy for four pagesof a book or magazine so that each ribbon may be fblded longitudinallyto form two page strips which are joined along a folded margin and havetheirlo ngitudinal edges in register. The page strips may be cut intopage lengths each of which forms four pages of a book or magazine.

Fromthe slitters 20 and 21 the ribbons pass to ribbon turning andsuperposing mechanism, the mechanism for the ribbons R1 to R3 beingindicated generally at 22 While that for the ribbons R4 to R6 isindicated generally at 23. As best seen in Fig. 3, the ribbons R1, R2and R3 pass, respectively, under" guide rolls 22a, 22b and 220 whichtake the three ribbons off at different levels for travel to threevertically aligned strip turning bars 22d, 22c and 22 which, as seen inFig. 2, are set in the frame 15 at a 45 angle to the path of travel ofthe ribbons R1, R2 and R3 from the slit ter mechanism 20 so that wheneach ribbon passes around the turningba r it assumes a path of travel atright angles to original path and the three strips are in verticallyspaced alignment. Similarly, the ribbon turning and superposingmechanism 23 includes guide rollers 23b and: 23c which respectively takethe ribbons R4, R5 and R6 off at different levels for passage ro ndturning bars 234, 2 3.2 and 213 respectively, from which the threeribbons move in vertically spaced alignmentin a direction at right angles to their travel through the slitter mechanism 21. i

' After passing the turner bars the ribbons R1, R2 and R3 pass,respectively, around aligning rolls 24a, 24b and 24cwhile the ribbonsR4, R5 and. R6 pass around aligning rolls 25a, 25b and 250;. The ribbonsR1, R2 and R3 come off the aligning rolls in registering, face-abuttingsuperposed relationship to provide. a ribbon set S1, while i t t e-ribbns Rd. .5 d 6 he th yv am 011 the aligning rolls form a second; ribbonset S2 As best 5. 5 a a t q ihlzqa et S1; pas es. round. a irec i boardtapers uniformly to a very narrow tip 34 which, as

seen in Fig. 11, is triangular in cross section. The ribbon set S1 isvery carefully aligned as it passes through the infeed rollers 27a and27b so that the lower end 34 of the former board 32 is on thelongitudinal center line of the ribbons forming the set. Thus, as seenin Figs. 8 to 11., the ribbon set S1 has its margins moved toward eachother until it is in a V-formation when it passes oif the tip 34 of thefolder board, and it is immediately conducted between a pair of ribbonclosing rollers 35a and 35b so that the unjoined margins of thelowermost ribbon R3 of the set S1 are brought into faceabuttingrelationship and the fold is tightly crimped to convert the threeribbons into six interleaved page strips forming a first strip group G1which has a closed margin M1. The unjoined margins of the six pagestrips forming the strip group G1 are in registry.

The former board means 31 is similar to the former board means 28, inthat it includes a wedge-shaped former board 36 which has a wide upperend 37 adjacent the infeed rolls a and 30b, and tapers to a narrowtriangular tip 38 which is positioned on the longitudinal center line ofthe ribbon set S2. The former board means 31 .also includes closingrollers 39a and 39b.

Below the closing rollers a and 35b the strip group G1 passes over astrip separating member 40 which has generally the shape of an invertedfolder board which has a narrow end 41 toward the closing rollers 35aand a saddle-shaped wider end 42 in the direction of travel of the stripgroup G1. The separator member 40 is between the innermost strips G3(see Fig. 6) so that the strip group G1 is opened along its unjoinedmargins between the innermost strips. It is then ready to receive thesecond strip group G2 which passes from the closing rollers 39a and 3%through a pair of guide rollers 43a and 43b onto an adjustable guidemember 44 which is generally like a pair of wedge-shaped former boardsarranged with their broad ends together on a central support shaft 45 onwhich the guide member is tiltably supported for adjustment with respectto strip groups G1 and G2. The strip guide 44 has a first wedge-shapedsection 46 which acts as a strip receiving section and has a pointedupper end 47 just below the guide rolls 43a and 43b, while below thesupport member 45 is a second wedge-shaped strip-delivering section 48which has its pointed tip 49 positioned between the separated strips ofthe strip group G1. Thus, the strip group G2 passes over the stripreceiving portion 46 of the guide member 44 which opens it and as itpasses off the strip-delivering portion 48 it slides between theseparated innermost strips G3 of the strip group G1 and the joinedmargins M2 of the strip group G2 are slid firmly against the joinedmargins M1 of the strip group G1 as the two associated strip groups passover the narrow lower tip 49 of the delivery portion 48 of the guidemember. The associated strips G1 and G2 are then passed through anadditional pair of closing rolls 50a and 50b after which they traveltogether as a single signature strip S3 having 12 interfolded pagestrips which provide 24 pages of a book or magazine.

From the closing rollers 50a the signature strip S3 passes between endguide rollers 51a and 51b from which it may follow a conventional coursebetween cutting cylinders 52 which cut it into signatures, as by cuttingalong the broken line C in Fig. 12. The signatures travel arounddelivery cylinders 53 and are laid in shingled relationship on deliverybelts 54.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present methodof forming 16, 24, or more page signatures from coated stock has a greatmany advantages. In the first place, the traveling strip operation forthe forming of signatures is far faster than is possible with jawfolders so that the presses may be run at higher speeds. The formerboard folders are far less expensive to construct and maintain than arejaw folders, and are far less subject to damage or maladjustmentrequiring shutdowns.

A major factor where large quantities of paper are being printed andbound on saddle stitchers, as is the case with many magazines, is thepaper saving which can be realized by using larger signatures. This isbecause a center sheet of each signature must have a laterallyprojecting lap such as the lap L shown in Figs. 5 to 7, 12

and 13, by means of which the signature may be grasped by a gripper toopen it for mounting on the saddle stitch conveyor; and the larger thesignatures the fewer laps are required.

Flexibility of book or magazine arrangement is possible becausedifferent types of paper stock can be put into a single signature; and aglue strip may be run on a strip group or a signature strip for making acenter insert of a single strip (2-page signature).

The disclosed method of forming signatures also permits a broadflexibility in the combining of color pages; and by eliminating the useof jaw type folders eliminates the smearing of pages which isencountered with such folders.

The foregoing detailed description is given for clearness ofunderstanding only and no unnecessary limitations are to be understoodtherefrom, as some modifications will be obvious to those skilled in theart.

We claim:

1. In apparatus for forming signatures of coated paper containing fromsixteen to twenty-four pages: first ribbon forwarding means for feedinga first ribbon set containing two or three reel-length paper ribbons inregistering superposition; first former board folder means forcontinuously forming a longitudinal fold line in the first ribbon set toprovide a first strip group of interleaved strips which are joined alongone margin; a wedge shaped strip separating member the narrow end ofwhich is positioned between the innermost strips of the first stripgroup :as said group leaves the former board means to partially reopenthe strips of said group along its fold line; second ribbon forwardingmeans for feeding a second ribbon set containing two or threereel-length paper ribbons in registering superposition; second formerboard folder means for continuously forming a longitudinal fold line inthe second ribbon set to provide a second strip group of interleavedstrips which are joined along one margin; guide means adjacent the foldline of the first strip group to guide said second strip group betweenthe innermost partially reopened strips of the first strip group withthe fold lines abutting; and means for refolding the first strip grouparound the second strip group.

2. In apparatus for forming signatures of coated paper containing fromsixteen to twenty-four pages: first ribbon forwarding means for feedinga first ribbon set containing two or three reel-length paper ribbons inregistering superposition; first former board folder means forcontinuously forming a longitudinal fold line in the first ribbon set toprovide a first strip group of interleaved strips which are joined alongone margin; a wedge shaped strip separating member the narrow end ofwhich is positioned between the innermost strips of the first stripgroup as said group leaves the former board means to partially reopenthe strips of said group along its fold line; second ribbon forwardingmeans for feeding a second ribbon set containing two or threereel-length paper ribbons in registering superposition; second formerboard folder means for continuously forming a longitudinal fold line inthe second ribbon set to provide a second strip group of interleaved v.strips which are joined along one margin; guide means having a wedgeshaped receiving end to partially reopen said second strip group alongits fold line, and a delivery end which tapers to a narrow edge alongwhich the fold lines of both strip groups pass in superposition withsaid second group positioned between the innermost partially reopenedstrips of said first group; and means for refolding the first stripgroup around the second strip group.

3. A method of forming signatures of coated paper containing at leastsixteen pages which includes the steps of continuously forwarding twopaper ribbon sets each of which contains at least two and no more thanthree registeringly superposed roll-length printed paper ribbons,continuously forming a longitudinal fold line in each of said ribbonsets, crimping each of said fold lines to provide two strip groups eachcontaining at least four and no more than six interleaved strips whichare joined along one margin and have their unjoined marginal portionsabutting, separating the unjoined margins of the strips of both of saidgroups between the innermost strips of the group in readiness forassociation of said two groups, continuously sliding one of said twostrip groups between the separated margins of the other strip group andmoving the fold lines of the two groups into abutment to provide asingle signature strip containing at least eight and no more than twelveinterleaved strips, closing said separated margins, and cutting saidsignature strip into signature lengths.

4. A method of forming signatures of coated paper containing at leastsixteen pages which includes the steps of: continuously forwarding twopaper ribbon sets each of which contains at least two and no more thanthree registeringly superposed roll-length printed ribbons of coatedpaper; continuously forming a longitudinal fold line in each of saidribbon sets to provide two strip groups each containing at least fourand no more than six interleaved strips which are joined along onemargin; crimping the fold line of one of said sets and bringing theunjoined margins of said strip group into abutment; separating theunjoined margins of the strips of said one of said groups between theinnermost strips in readiness to receive the other strip group;continuously sliding said other strip group between said separatedmargins and moving the fold lines of the two groups into abutment toprovide a single signature strip containing at least eight and no morethan twelve interleaved strips; closing said separated margins; andcutting said signature strips into signature lengths.

5. A method of forming signatures of coated paper containing at leastsixteen pages which includes the steps of: continuously forwarding tworeel-length webs of coated paper; slitting each of said webslongitudinally to form at least two and no more than three ribbons fromeach web; registeringly superposing all the ribbons formed from each webto provide two paper ribbon sets, each of said sets containing at leasttwo and no more than three ribbons; continuously forming a longitudinalfold line in each of said ribbon sets to provide two strip groups eachcontaining at least four and no more than six interleaved strips whichare joined along one margin; crimping the fold line of one of said setsand bringing the unjoined margins of said strip group into abutment;separating the unjoined margins of the strips of said one of said groupsbetween the innermost strips in readiness to receive the other stripgroup; associating said strip groups by con tinuously sliding the othergroup between the separated margins of the innermost strips of said onegroup with the fold lines of both groups in abutment to provide asignature strip containing at least eight and no more than twelveinterleaved strips; and cutting said signature strip into signaturelengths.

6. A method of forming signatures of coated paper which includes thesteps of: continuously forwarding two paper ribbon sets each of whichcontains the maximum number of roll-length printed coated paper ribbonswhich may be forwarded in longitudinally registering super-position;maintaining the ribbons in each of said ribbon sets in longitudinallyregistering super-position; continuously forming a longitudinal foldline in each of said ribbon sets to provide two strip groups eachcontaining interleaved strips which are joined along one margin;crimping the fold line of one of said sets and bringing the unjoinedmargins of said strip group into abutment; separating the unjoinedmargins of the strips of said one of said groups between the innermoststrips in readiness to receive the other strip group; associating saidstrip groups by continuously sliding the other group between theseparated margins of the innermost strips of said one group with thefold lines of both groups in abutment to provide a signature stripcontaining all the strips of both groups; and cutting said strip intosignature lengths.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS660,726 Hartt Oct. 30, 1900 1,758,033 Dodge May 13, 1930 FOREIGN PATENTS177,818 Great Britain Apr. 3, 1922

